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API hails House passage of energy industry hiring-diversity bill

The American Petroleum Institute (API) hailed recent U.S. House passage of HR 4583, which aims to encourage more diversity in hiring within the energy and manufacturing sectors through cooperative efforts among federal and state governments, educational institutions, industry leaders and labor unions.

“America is the No.1 producer of oil and natural gas in the world, and we need a workforce that will help keep America competitive,” API President and CEO Jack Gerard said. “Our energy renaissance has created unprecedented opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds. Given the proper education and training, more than half a million new jobs in the industry are projected to be filled by minorities and women over the next decade and a half."

Gerard said such jobs hold lucrative opportunities.

"These are careers that will pay well above the national average," Gerard said. "Expanding education and workforce-training programs will help ensure competitive access to these great job opportunities in underrepresented communities.”

The bill would call on labor groups to support education and training efforts, and to help these individuals find jobs within the energy and manufacturing sectors once they're trained.

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